I Became The King Of Crusaders [EN]: Chapter 62

The Return of the Hero (2)

* * *

Rome

The Lateran Palace

Brilliant sunlight illuminated the great city.

Rome.

The heart of the ancient empire.

It was hard to find the glory of the past in its current state.

After years of neglect and war, half of Rome’s urban area was in ruins.

Amidst the ruins, the shouts of angry people echoed.

“The false Pope must step down!”

“A scoundrel who abandoned Rome! Get out!”

The people in the streets shouted and threw garbage.

Those carrying the coffin flinched and stepped back.

“What is this?! Everyone, move aside if you don’t want to get hurt!”

“Such blasphemy! Just get lost!”

The soldiers pushed the protesters back with their spears.

The funeral procession was a complete mess.

Two men watched the scene from the back of the procession.

“How can they do such a thing at the funeral of His Holiness, the successor of St. Peter and the Vicar of Christ on Earth…?”

“Ten times in twenty years.”

Pope Lucius touched his crimson vestments and said.

“His Holiness Alexander was exiled from Rome more than ten times in twenty years. There are still many of Friedrich’s [Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor] men planted in Rome.”

He looked ahead and continued.

“How much German gold has corrupted the Roman nobles, senators, and citizens?”

“It is an act of ingratitude when you consider what the previous Popes did for Rome.”

Cardinal Hoomber trembled, clenching his fists.

“Didn’t they give food to the jobless and homes to the naked? And now they sell their souls for a few coins.”

“Sometimes I envy the Eastern Church of Constantinople.”

Pope Lucius sighed.

A few pieces of garbage fell towards them.

The guards surrounded them tightly.

“Wasn’t the last time the Emperor of Constantinople fought them decades ago? Emperor Friedrich will bring his army back to Rome at any time.”

“And those crows will greedily peck at the crumbs the Emperor gives them.”

“The Emperor wants Sicily. If Sicily falls, our Papal States will be surrounded.”

Pope Lucius closed his eyes tightly.

The sounds of people shouting and fighting echoed.

“We must find a way before that happens.”

“…”

“The Kingdom of Jerusalem.”

The Pope slowly opened his mouth.

“The nephew of the King of Jerusalem… Baldwin. Didn’t that boy save the life of the Eastern Roman Emperor? He also suppressed the rebellion.”

“Yes, it was the rebellion led by Andronikos, a relative of the Emperor. He even defeated the rebel admiral of Cyprus….”

“In fact, he has become a benefactor of Constantinople. Isn’t that right?”

“He claimed that he received a revelation from the Archangel Michael. Latin Christians and knights in Constantinople testified….”

Cardinal Hoomber said.

“Whether he actually performed miracles is still… The Miracle Committee will need to investigate.”

“These are chaotic times. A royal from the holy city receiving heavenly revelations.”

Pope Lucius said.

“Isn’t this the true will of the Lord? If he is a benefactor of the Eastern Roman Emperor, he could become a bridge between the Western and Eastern Churches.”

He added.

“Hasn’t it been a hundred years since Rome and Constantinople excommunicated each other?”

“Are you saying…?”

“Send a letter to Jerusalem. The situation in the holy city may not be so relaxed, but….”

The Pope said.

He looked at the citizens throwing garbage.

“There is a time for everything that happens on Earth. The Lord will guide us. First, we must escape from those cursed ones.”

“I have contacted Verona in advance. You will be safe from those barbaric people there.”

The sun slowly set, painting Rome with the colors of sunset.

Pope Lucius murmured in a small voice.

“Now is the time when miracles are most needed.”

* * *

“It’s definitely far.”

Bult neighed as if agreeing.

Three days after leaving Tripoli.

We finally arrived near Jerusalem.

As the journey continued, the procession grew larger and larger.

Christians from Europe and even Saracen [Muslim] pilgrims joined us.

In addition, it rained frequently, so we had to keep stopping.

Ganier came to my side.

“I don’t know if the messenger arrived safely. It’s so late that they must be worried in Jerusalem.”

“It’s frustrating because we can’t send carrier pigeons when it rains.”

I nodded.

The most frustrating thing in the 12th century is communication.

The speed of exchanging information was too slow.

Well, it’s natural since there are no communication satellites.

Pigeons and messengers often have problems along the way.

Beacons are fast, but they can’t convey specific information.

I can’t build telegraph towers.

Why didn’t the military academy have classes to prepare for this situation?

[Medieval Royalty Adaptation Methods in Preparation for Being Dropped into the 12th Century Levant]

+ Emotional Coping Methods When Possessing Someone Else’s Body

It would have been much easier if there had been such classes.

I stared far ahead and fell into thought.

Actually, I don’t really need such classes.

What I learned was hundreds of years of war history, military science, and strategy and tactics.

Let’s think about it.

First, what I have right now.

Telescope.

I feel like something will come out if I use this.

Sending Morse code from a distance?

No, what’s the point if you can’t see it during the day, let alone at night.

A light source that can be seen from a distance during the day would require electricity.

Then what about a telegraph tower?

I don’t have the confidence to make this.

What did they use before the telegraph tower?

I recalled my military academy classes.

It was probably during the French Revolution.

Semaphore signaling.

The principle was simple.

Signal towers made up of two mechanical arms exchanging signals with each other.

Confirm the message sent from the front signal tower with a telescope, and then relay it to the next signal tower.

I heard that it played a big role during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.

Anyway, a signal tower with arms.

Does it feel like a dancing balloon doll in front of a store?

I think I can make that much with current technology.

Since there is a telescope, the number of towers needed can be reduced.

I need to think about it more.

Someone’s shout echoed.

“Jerusalem!”

Some people exclaimed.

Mostly members of the Holy Sepulcher Guard.

They all stared at the distant walls with amazed expressions.

The only ones who were calm were the Knights Templar.

I looked at them.

I felt complex and subtle emotions.

They wouldn’t be happy.

Such a thing happened to their knight order.

Before long, we arrived at the gate.

The soldiers guarding the gate came out and greeted us.

“All members of the Holy Sepulcher Guard, stand by!”

Roark shouted.

“Wait outside Jerusalem until permission is granted!”

Ah, that’s right.

The Holy Sepulcher Guard has not yet received formal approval.

Roark had to go and meet Baldwin IV.

The citizens inside the city watched the Holy Sepulcher Guard with curious eyes.

Does it look strange to have an ax?

We slowly went inside.

As we approached the palace, we saw another welcoming crowd.

I saw a familiar face at the front.

Sibylla.

“Baldwin!”

“Mother.”

I got off my horse.

She came to me and sighed.

“I was worried that my letter wouldn’t arrive in time.”

“There couldn’t have been a more appropriate moment.”

It was really the right timing.

I received it just before the Knights Templar attacked.

“I heard that those rude people pointed their swords at you. Are you really not hurt?”

“They were too busy running away as soon as they saw me. They weren’t stupid enough to swing a sword at royalty.”

I nodded.

I could feel the anger emanating from her.

Anger towards Guy [Guy of Lusignan, Sibylla’s husband].

“Commander Toro claimed that neither he nor Guy had anything to do with this. But no one believes that. Soon they will both pay the price.”

She said.

“I can tolerate touching the royal treasury… but I will not forgive anyone who tries to touch you.”

“Me neither.”

I nodded.

I looked at her.

Sibylla’s emotions swirled like a storm.

But I felt an intense pride towards me.

The feeling I felt when I returned from Eilat before.

My parents were like this too.

They ran a small fruit store and raised me.

How happy they were when they heard that their only son had been accepted into the military academy.

They were proud even when I was expelled.

‘You did the right thing. That’s what matters.’

The right thing.

That was what mattered to my parents.

Sibylla asked.

“But in Constantinople, really the archangel…?”

“Yes, I heard the voice of the archangel. Actually, it’s been like that since I fell off my horse before.”

This would be better.

Rather than saying that her son was mixed with a future person hundreds of years later.

“Since you fell off your horse… I thought so.”

She sighed.

“I thought you had changed since then. His Majesty thought the same. Anyway, let’s talk about the details later. His Majesty is waiting for you.”

She smiled at Theodora behind her.

“We must take the guest from Constantinople quickly.”

“I understand, Mother.”

I smiled and replied.

I took the lead as if guiding Theodora and Roark.

As I got off my horse and went inside, all the nobles and knights stepped aside.

As I entered the hall, I heard a familiar trumpet sound.

“The rebuilder of Eilat, the maker of the sacred elixir, the friend of the Roman Empire and Magistros [Master], the conqueror of Cyprus, the liberator of Hama and Homs. He is Prince Baldwin of the Kingdom of Jerusalem~”

The herald said, panting.

It’s like rapping.

If it’s this long now, how much longer will it be later?

I crossed the center of the hall.

Be careful not to step on the cloak.

Be careful not to step on the cloak….

Baldwin IV was wearing royal robes.

A white cloak like me.

I stood in front of him and knelt down.

“I’ve been waiting, Baldwin. I’m glad you finished your journey without any problems.”

He came to me and reached out his arms.

We hugged each other.

“I heard you returned the territories to Count Joscelin? Hama and Homs. Soon we will be able to reclaim Edessa.”

He burst into laughter.

“When I heard that you had occupied Hama and Homs, I thought I was hearing things.”

“The situation was too urgent to get Your Majesty’s permission.”

The original plan was just to support Masoud.

Occupying Hama and Homs was an improvisation.

It was a case of acting first and reporting later.

“You don’t have to worry about that. You have done much more than I asked for.”

He said with a smile.

“Count Joscelin is also qualified to take charge of those cities. Let’s talk about the Knights Templar issue later. There is something more important now. We must welcome the distinguished guests from Constantinople.”

Theodora slowly stepped forward.

Roark stood right behind her.

“Theodora of the Roman Empire greets His Majesty, the King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.”

“Welcome to the Holy City, Princess Theodora. May the glory and blessing of the Lord be with Constantinople.”

Baldwin IV said.

“Due to the situation in the Holy City, the wedding can only be held next year. Until then, please stay as a guest of our kingdom.”

“It is my honor, Your Majesty.”

Roark stepped forward.

“Roark, the commander of the Holy Sepulcher Guard, greets His Majesty, the noble King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.”

“You are also welcome to the Holy City, Commander. If your Varangian [Elite Byzantine Guard] warriors are with us, it will be of great help in defending the Holy City.”

Baldwin IV coughed and said.

“We have prepared a headquarters for you to use here in Jerusalem. Supplies and resources. If you need anything else, please tell me at any time.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration. I will do my best to protect the Holy City.”

“The relationship between the Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Jerusalem has never been so strong.”

Baldwin IV said.

He slowly came to my side.

“There is no separate welcoming ceremony, but I have prepared something else instead. A gift for you.”

He prepared another gift?

What is he talking about?

I could feel him enjoying my reaction.

He patted me on the shoulder.

“Haven’t you been knighted yet? Let’s start with that first.”

* * *

(Semaphore Signal Tower – www.history-communication/semaphore.com Public Domain)

Q: Were royals also knighted?

A: It depends on the era, but yes, they were! First of all, knights and nobles were integrated around 1200. In the case of royalty, they were often knighted by their own king or a foreign king, and Richard I was reportedly knighted by the King of France.

(Related sources – [Strange Middle Ages, Yoo Hee-soo], [Eleanor of Aquitaine, Alison Weir]